Tehran: The burgeoning air war between Iran and Israel has entered its sixth volatile day, triggering an abrupt departure by U.S. President Donald Trump from the G7 Summit and a stunning demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender." The conflict's escalation is profoundly impacting critical energy infrastructure, sparking a shadowy cyber war, and prompting visible military reinforcements across the Middle East.
President Trump dramatically cut short his G7 attendance in Canada, returning to Washington to convene his advisors in the formidable White House Situation Room. In a series of provocative social media posts, Trump declared U.S. patience "wearing thin" with Iran and chillingly claimed, "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding." His subsequent, unequivocal demand for "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" marks a significant rhetorical escalation, although British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that G7 discussions focused on de-escalation, with no indication of direct U.S. military intervention.
The economic fallout of the conflict is already stark, with direct hits on crucial oil and gas facilities. On June 14, Israel struck an installation at Iran's offshore South Pars gas field, part of the world's largest natural gas reserve, leading to a partial suspension of production. The same day, a Tehran fuel depot and an oil refinery near the capital were targeted. In a retaliatory blow on June 16, Israel's largest refinery, the Haifa oil refinery (Bazan Group), was forced to shut down after its power station was damaged by an Iranian attack, disrupting its 197,000 barrels per day crude processing capacity. Global oil markets remain on high alert.
As missile barrages continue, a parallel, unseen conflict is unfolding in cyberspace. Iranian media reports indicate that Iran's National Cyber Security Command has accused Israel of launching a "massive cyber war" against the nation's digital infrastructure. This development follows earlier reports of significant internet connectivity disruptions in Tehran.
The Israeli military confirmed identifying multiple new missile launches from Iran towards Israel, with defensive systems actively engaging the threats. Citizens were instructed to remain in protected areas, a directive later lifted, signaling an immediate threat has passed. The U.S., meanwhile, is bolstering its military posture in the region, deploying additional F-16, F-22, and F-35 fighter aircraft. U.S. officials underscore the defensive nature of these deployments, primarily aimed at intercepting incoming projectiles. Israel's "Iron Dome" defense system continues to operate with a high success rate, though officials concede no system is "100% perfect."
In a critical development, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, revised its assessment after analyzing high-resolution satellite imagery, confirming direct impacts on the underground uranium enrichment halls at Natanz. This contradicts earlier reports of indirect damage. The IAEA also reported the destruction of several facilities at the Isfahan nuclear complex, including a uranium conversion plant. However, Iran's deeply buried Fordow enrichment site appears largely undamaged. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that if Iran does not de-escalate and return to negotiations, the "complete destruction" of its nuclear weapons program could be on the agenda, acknowledging that the U.S. possesses the necessary military capabilities.
Against this backdrop, international diplomatic efforts are intensifying. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to discuss the Middle East situation, while Russia and Turkey's presidents have agreed to deepen defense contacts. The G7 nations, in a unified statement, expressed support for Israel and condemned Iran as a "source of instability," urging broader de-escalation. Trump, while calling for Iran's surrender, also indicated a willingness to send senior U.S. officials for direct talks to achieve a "real end" to the nuclear dispute.